American soul and R&B singer and musician, Aaron Neville is a name to reckon with in the world of music. Through his sheer talent and innovativeness, he has created ground-breaking music that has pleased listeners of all age groups. Originally of mixed African American and Native American heritage, his music also depicts Cajun and Creole influence. While Neville has a number of solo hits in his kitty, he has also worked with various other artists to come up with winning tracks. To know more on the life and career of this prolific singer, browse through the article below.

Childhood & Early Life

An American soul and R&B singer, Aaron Neville was born in New Orleans, Louisiana.

He is one of the members of the Neville Brothers group, which includes his brothers Art Neville, Cyril Neville and Charles Neville.

He is a Roman Catholic with a devotion to St. Jude, to whom he credits his success and survival. He is even seen sporting a St. Jude Medal in his left ear as an earring.

Neville’s interest in music was right from his childhood. He first started singing for the local group, the Hawkettes where his brother Art Neville also sang. Thereafter he sang numerous songs, all of which were minor hits.

Career

Neville’s career kick-started in the year 1966 when he sang his first major hit single “Tell It Like It Is”. The song not only topped Billboard's R&B chart for five weeks in 1967, but also reached the number two slot on the Hot 100.

The album sold more than one million copies and was awarded with a gold disc. Such was the craze of the song that a remake of it was featured in the Top 10 Pop hit for the Rock group Heart

However, unable to capitalize on the success of the song due to various reasons, he, along with his brothers, formed the group, The Neville Brothers in 1978. Nevertheless, Neville did not forgo his career as a solo artist and continued the same.

In 1989, Neville, along with Linda Ronstadt, brought out the album “Cry Like a Rainstorm” and “Howl Like the Wind”.

The duets recorded for the album, included the Grammy winning hits, “Don't Know Much” and “All My Life”.

The song, “Don’t Know Much” was such a top seller that it earned a million-selling Gold single, while the album was certified Triple Platinum.

Neville’s other hits included “Everybody Plays the Fool”, his 1991 cover of the 1972 Main Ingredient song, that reached the number eight slot on the Hot 100; “Don't Take Away My Heaven”, “Hercules” and “Can't Stop My Heart From Loving You (The Rain Song).”

As far as his solo success is concerned, Neville created a record on the Adult Contemporary chart, where his songs “Don't Know Much”, “All My Life”, and “Everybody Plays the Fool” all reached Number One slot in eight European countries.

Neville’s career graph also includes his work on the television, movies and sporting events.

He is known to have sung the National Anthem in the movie “The Fan”.

Additionally, he also sang the anthem at the WWF's SummerSlam 1993 and at WCW Spring Stampede in 1994.

He has also given background vocals for the songs “Great Heart”, “Bring Back the Magic”, “Homemade Music”, “My Barracuda”, and “Smart Woman”.

Later in 2009, along with the Mt. Zion Mass Choir, Neville brought out a version of the song “A Change Is Gonna Come” on the compilation album, “Oh Happy Day”.

Major Works

Tell It Like It Is (1965)

Orchid in the Storm (1986)

Warm Your Heart (1991)

The Grand Tour, Aaron Neville's Soulful Christmas (1993)

The Tattooed Heart (1995)

To Make Me Who I Am (1997)

Devotion (2000)

Humdinger (2002)

Believe, Nature Boy: The Standards Album (2003)

Gospel Roots, Christmas Prayer (2005)

Mojo Soul, Bring It On Home... The Soul Classics (2006)

Awards & Achievements

In 2010, Neville was inducted in the Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame, while he was performing at Baton Rouge's Manship Theater in the Shaw Center.

He has also been inducted in the Delta Music Museum Hall of Fame in Ferriday, Louisiana.

Personal Life & Legacy

Aaron Neville married his college sweetheart, Joel Roux in the year 1959. The couple was blessed with four children.

Like him, his oldest son, Ivan is also a musician. He even released an album, “If My Ancestors Could See Me Now”, in 1988, which yielded a Top 40 hit with “Not Just Another Girl”.

His third son is a rap artist and has performed with his father and Neville Brothers.

Post the death of his wife, in the year 2007, due to lung cancer, Neville remarried after a gap of three years to Sarah A. Friedman.

AARON NEVILLE TIMELINE

1941:

Aaron Neville was born EDITSomething Wrong? Help Us Clean It Up. Tell Us About It.

1959:

Married his college sweetheart, Joel EDITSomething Wrong? Help Us Clean It Up. Tell Us About It.

1966:

Released his first single hit, "Tell It Like It Is" EDITSomething Wrong? Help Us Clean It Up. Tell Us About It.

1978:

Along with his brothers, formed the group, The Neville Brothers EDITSomething Wrong? Help Us Clean It Up. Tell Us About It.

1988:

Recorded "Mickey Mouse March" for Stay Awake EDITSomething Wrong? Help Us Clean It Up. Tell Us About It.

1989:

Teamed up with Linda Ronstadt on the album "Cry Like a Rainstorm", "Howl Like the Wind". EDITSomething Wrong? Help Us Clean It Up. Tell Us About It.

1993:

Sang the anthem at the WWF's SummerSlam EDITSomething Wrong? Help Us Clean It Up. Tell Us About It.

1994:

Sang at WCW Spring Stampede EDITSomething Wrong? Help Us Clean It Up. Tell Us About It.

2006:

Performed "The Star-Spangled Banner", alongside Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin; Made a guest appearance on an episode of the soap opera The Young and the Restless EDITSomething Wrong? Help Us Clean It Up. Tell Us About It.

2007:

His wife passed away EDITSomething Wrong? Help Us Clean It Up. Tell Us About It.

2009:

Along with the Mt. Zion Mass Choir, released a version of the song "A Change Is Gonna Come" EDITSomething Wrong? Help Us Clean It Up. Tell Us About It.

2010:

Remarried with Sarah A. Friedman EDITSomething Wrong? Help Us Clean It Up. Tell Us About It.

2010:

Inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame EDITSomething Wrong? Help Us Clean It Up. Tell Us About It.